Matches for "Jayne Davies"

Jayne Davies has held aloft many cups on the trotting track during her hugely successful training career. This weekend, the massive Collingwood fan is hoping her beloved Magpies will do the same on the MCG.
The Clyde horsewoman, a long-time Collingwood cheer squad member, said she would be at the ground cheering on the Pies in Saturday’s AFL decider after watching the team’s preliminary final win against Richmond on Friday night.
“At half-time we were all just looking at each other – we were in shock, we couldn’t believe what we were doing to them, the reigning premiers, you know,” Davies said.
“It was a big thrill, that’s for sure. But (this week) isn’t going to be easy (as West Coast) are a great side, it is going to take a mighty effort.”
Davies’ connection to Collingwood is made even stronger by the fact she has trained several horses part-owned by former champion player and present coach Nathan Buckley.
She said the pair, who have raced the likes of All I Can Be, Hurricane Jett (named after Buckley’s son Jett) and Stone of Destiny (with captain Scott Pendlebury), connected through an unlikely phone call – which meant Davies took some convincing she was actually talking to him.
“One of my owners was playing in a charity game at (Crown) casino, we’re going back 20 years ago or so, and I had always been a Collingwood supporter and he rang me and said ‘I’m sitting next to one of your idols, Nathan Buckley’,” she said.
“I said ‘oh yeah’ and he put him on. I thought it was a joke. So Bucks was talking away and I said ‘it’s not really Bucks is it’ and he was saying ‘yes it is’.
“He was asking about the horses and said ‘I wouldn’t mind getting a share in one, I will give you a call tomorrow’.
“I thought it was one big joke. The next morning he did ring me, we got talking, I realised it was him and I met him. I said I have a little two-year-old here (Hurricane Jett) that I owned and he was rapt to (buy) into him.”
Davies said she had been a cheer squad member for “a long time” and often travelled with the group interstate.
“I have made a lot of friends; there’s a group of us, we went to Perth and we sit behind old Joffa,” she said.
“He is a nice guy who does a lot for charity that people don’t realise. He is very passionate. Bucks calls Eddie ‘Joffa in a suit’.”
Regardless of the Grand Final result, Davies will be looking to make the weekend a winning one at Cranbourne trots, where she is racing four horses – Baccarat and Melchoir in the Hyland Harness Colours, British General (Seelite Windows & Doors Pace) and Magical Times (Decron Cranbourne Pacing Cup Sat 27 October Pace).
She said last start winner Melchoir was her best hope.
“He is going really well; I couldn’t believe his odds last start, he was $34 in the paper, as he was always going to be in the trail and so was going to be every chance,” she said.
“He won quite easily in the end, so he is probably our best chance.”
Shaun Campbell

Top horseman Nathan Jack drove his third Traralgon Pacing Cup winner at Sunday afternoon's Warragul meeting.
Jack drove Dream To Share, a well travelled pacer he also trains.
Dream To Share had been racing in New South Wales and was first up for trainer Jack on Sunday.
He beat last year's Pacing Cup winner, Hurricane Stride, in Sunday's race, narrowly denying that the horse the opportunity of becoming the first to win the Pacing Cup twice.
Jack drove Equity Jeb and Nuclear Bunny to win his first two Cups.
The co-feature, the Ken Miller Memorial Pace, was won by short priced favourite Always Flashing.
The four-year-old set down to a stirring finish with The Cobblers Piece, the pair racing away from their rivals before the home turn, and the favourite gaining a narrow winning margin right on the finish liner.
Family and friends of the late Ken Miller with race winning driver Greg Sugars after the Ken Miller Memorial Pace
Photo - Matt Walker
Local trainers missed out in the two feature races, but still enjoyed good success on Sunday afternoon.
Trainer Rob Evans, now at Koo Wee Rup, won his second race with his mare Into You, which ran a time only just outside the track record.
A large syndicate of locals, including some first time owners, celebrated the maiden win of two-year-old pacer Blazin Cracker. The youngster should only get better with more racing and maturity for trainer Gary Quinlan.
Clyde trainer Jayne Davies produced Redason to win the Trotters Handicap, the first of a driving double for Nathan Jack.
The Gippsland Harness Training Centre celebrated a home track success in the opening race of the day with Mystic Castle, trained by Jenni Lewis and driven by Greg Sugars.
The Adam Kelly trained Cullen Reign won the fourth race, driven by Chris Alford, who collected a winning double after earlier steering Blazin Cracker to victory.
Kilmore horsewoman Rita Burnett had her name drawn out as the lucky winner of a new Dooza racing sulky donated by Warragul Light Harness Club.
Her daughter Monique was overcome with excitement as she opened an envelope revealing her mother's name as the winner.
Trotting returns to Warragul on Sunday, July 15.
Kyle Galley

Anyone who owns, trains, breeds or drives a Standardbred dreams of achieving Group One glory.
The lure of the “ Pot of Gold “ at the end of the rainbow is contagious, but often horsemen and women need to travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres in search of their dream.
Way back in 1936 horses travelled from afar as Tasmania and New Zealand to contest the first Inter Dominion series in Perth.
So the Pot of Gold that awaits the victors at the annual Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival has been attracting raiders from across the ditch in New Zealand or from across the Nullabor in WA since at least 1990.
The $200,000 prizemoney offered for the Gold Final in 1990 caught the attention of the connections of the Kiwi colt Master Musician. He became the first sub 2.00 winner of either the Crown or the Tiara when he defeated Choice Vance and Rivers Road and commenced a career that saw him win 34 races and almost $2 million in prizemoney.
The following year the WA owned and trained filly Miss Booth ventured across the Nullabor to hand defeat to a smart field of girls that included Secrets, Smooth Sensation, Cunning Atom and Hike Along.
Her reinsman Rod Chambers was enjoying those long distance raids back in the 1990’s. He drove Jack Morris to victory in the 1993 Inter Dominion Final in Brisbane as well as winning Group One races on the East Coast with the likes of Whitbys Miss Penny and Mon Poppy Day.
It didn’t take long for youngsters from Queensland and Victoria to join the party as well, such was the lure of racing the tight Bathurst Showgrounds circuit.
Sheza Fake in 1997 and Palmer Kate in 2000 proudly wore the Gold Tiara Crowns back in their home Sunshine State whilst the first Tiara Crown to head south to the Garden State was taken by Full Of Cheek in 1994, who gave plenty of cheek for trainer, reinsman Paul Grech to defeat the NSW fillies Alcol and Daunting.
The Victorian trainer Jayne Davies tasted success on four occasions through the early years of the 21st Century- all with fillies owned by West Australians.
Lombo La Fe Fe won the Tiara in 2002 for Mr Lombo, Mick Lombardo; the Village Jasper filly Nemeeshar provided owners David Fuller and Joy Shrimpton with a career highlight win in 2003 whilst Amongst Royalty gave Ross Torre and his Royalstar Farm a well deserved Tiara victory in 2006.
Then just four years later Jayne trained the Robert Watson owned Aussie Made Lombo to victory over Vertigal and Leilani Lombo.
Aussie Made Lombo is a daughter of Bettors Delight and Tailamade Lombo and surprisingly is the only filly sired by the record breaking Bettors Delight to win a Tiara in its 30 year history.
The win of Nemeeshar in 2003 epitomises the “ Dream “ for the Pot of Gold. Her owners Dave Fuller and Joy Shrimpton were convinced by the leviathan WA owner Mick Lombardo to attend the 2002 Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival , which incidently gave Mick victory in the Tiara with Lombo La Fe Fe.
They enjoyed the holiday in the city of the Panorama so much that they vowed to return the following year to win the Tiara with their then Village Jasper yearling filly.
Well Dreams do turn into Reality for some of us as the lovely Village jasper did make the long trek across the Nullabor and with the moniker of Nemeeshar gave Dave and Joy the thrill of a lifetime.
On a track surface that could only be described as mud, Nemeeshar and champion WA reinsman ploughed through it better than her competitors to record a convincing 7 metre win.
“ We were very grateful to Mick Lombardo , who told us what a great Carnival the Bathurst Club organized each year “ said Joy recently.
“To win the Tiara and receive so many congratulations from the many people we had met the previous year was so exciting and unforgettable . “
“ It was truly a memorable week as Dave and myself then flew to Christchurch to watch another West Aussie in Baltic Eagle win the 2003 Inter Dominion Final. “
A famous female Country singer has been quoted as the author of these prophetic words- “ If you want the Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow then first you’ve got to put up with some rainy days. “
Well Dave and Joy won a Gold Tiara at their first attempt so they didn’t have to experience too many “ rainy days “…… except that one on 29th March 2003!
John Coffey

Humbletonian 2017 at Maryborough yesterday saw 10 horses register their first ever racetrack win and $63,000 paid out in Vicbred First Win bonuses from Harness Racing Victoria.
Additionally Harness Breeders Victoria paid out $2500 in breeder bonuses across yesterday’s 10-race card, the Victorian Square Trotters Association offered $250 bonuses for trot race winning owners who were on-course and the Maryborough Harness Racing Club offered $250 breeder bonuses for pacing breeders that attended.
The important ongoing role played by breeders in the trots was on display at Maryborough with three winning horses yesterday owned and trained by the person who bred them – Mascott (Race 1) for Jayne Davies, Crazy Ideas (Race 3) for Kari Males and Tobi John (Race 4) for Darren Cole.
A further three horses were bred, owned and trained by family members – Seattle Grace (Race 7) for Brad and David Barnes, No Republic (Race 9) for Virginia, Julija and Emmett Brosnan, and Live On Broadway (Race 10) for Christian McLean and Shannon McLean.
For Jayne Davies, the debut win of Mascott was extra special.
Davies purchased Mascott’s mother, Maidstone Miss, from New Zealand in 2011 and debuted her on Australian Soil in the Group 1 Redwood Classic at Maryborough. She won, and now, six years later, Maidstone Miss’s first progeny to hit the racetrack has won on debut at the same venue.
“It’s really nice to have him follow in his mother’s footsteps by winning at Maryborough first-up,” Davies said.
“I’ve sold the mare to Pat Driscoll (Yabby Dam Racing). I took an embryo from Maidstone Miss actually, and he (Mascott) is the result.”
Davies only qualified Mascott – by Majestic Son – last Saturday from the mobile. “He probably wasn’t quite ready and still has a couple of problems, but he trotted OK yesterday. He’s a nice little horse and he’s got a lot of improvement in him as a three-year-old,” Davies said.
Being the overseer of a racehorse’s transition from foal to racetrack and first win is a special experience, says Davies.
“It is a bit special,” she said. “And days like yesterday where the maiden horses are given that opportunity to pick up nice bonus prizemoney are really important for the industry.”
Find out more about the Victorian breeding industry
Cody Winnell (HRV Media/Communications Manager)

Champion harness racing driver Chris Alford won his fifth Traralgon Pacing Cup on Sunday afternoon.
In front of a good crowd despite windy and wet conditions, Alford partnered Hurricane Stride to a strong victory in the $7000 race.
While Alford is used to victory in the feature event, Clyde trainers Jayne Davies and Noel Alexander had never won the race before Sunday, despite having won many races in the district over more than three decades.
The Traralgon Pacing Cup remembers trotting held in the Latrobe Valley from 1975 to 1995. Alford won the last race on the Traralgon track in 1995.
Gippsland horses collected plenty of success at the Sunday meeting.
Trafalgar pacer Choosa Cruiser landed win one at start four in the three-year-old event, surprising many punters.
Left alone by many punters, Choosa Cruiser held the lead from barrier one on the wet track, and scored at odds of 40/1.
Glenn Hunter drove Choosa Cruiser for his father Chris, who trains the filly for Thorpdale owner/breeders Pete Ransom and Rowan Blackshaw.
Most Happy Cullen scored an impressive 13 metre victory for trainer Gary Quinlan and a big syndicate of local owners in the third race.
The four-year-old stallion's victory was the second winning drive of Chris Alford's treble for the day.
Alford also teamed up with trainer Ray Mathews to win the second race with Jackmichaels.
Mathews has been patient with the five-year-old gelding, who scored his first race win on Sunday at start 38.
Ten-year-old gelding Outpunch Enchanter won the Trotters Handicap, his eighth victory from an incredible 222 race starts.
The trotter has also finished in the minor placings on 47 occasions.
She Can Rock led throughout to win the first race, while Irish Player won his second race for the year at Warragul in the final event of the day, gaining the major prize in an exciting three-way finish.
Warragul trots return on Monday, August 28.
Kyle Galley

Cardinia builder Phil Ellery has been a familiar face on trotting tracks in Gippsland and beyond for many years, but not only as a trainer and driver of horses.
Phil is a regular driver of the mobile starting barrier at a handful of tracks. In fact he drove the vehicle for the first mobile start in many years of the famed A. G. Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton last month.
Last Wednesday, Phil was on hand as usual piloting the starting car at the Warragul Pacing Bowl. And he managed to make the most of his "down time" during the running of the one standing start event on the program, the trotters handicap.
Phil produced his trotter, Just Hold On, as one of the entrants in the race. And for good measure, he won the race too, ending a drought of almost 20 years since his last racetrack success.
The majority of punters gave Just Hold On very little chance of victory on Wednesday afternoon, and the eight-year-old veteran of only seven race starts went around as the rank outsider in betting at odds of almost 60-1.
But Phil knows his horse best, and proved that Just Hold On does have some ability. And just hold on the gelding did, defeating fellow local Innocent Fling by a narrow margin after a stirring battle for the length of the home straight.
Another Gippsland horse, Gavlenn Sunset, ran third to produce a local trifecta.
Pleasingly, the three placegetters have all given their local connections confidence that similar performances might occur in their upcoming starts.
The trotting ranks are gradually strengthening again in Gippsland and Phil Ellery will be hoping his next winner is not too far away.
His last success before Wednesday was with Carlewis at Moonee Valley in September 1998, although he has not had a lot of horses race since.
Fellow local horseman Ray Mathews bred Just Hold On, raced by Phil and his partner Trish Lammens. The pair also secured a $1500 Victorian Harness Racing Sports Club bonus as lucky owners in one of the Sports Club's sponsored races last Wednesday.
Talented junior reinsman Darby McGuigan will no doubt rank Warragul as his favourite track after a driving double on Wednesday.
McGuigan, who drove two winners at the February meeting, after a further winner at the season opening program in December, steered Gozo Beach and Gozo Lighting to victory for trainer Bill Galea.
Cranbourne trainer Jayne Davies produced the quinella in the third race with Soho Beijing beating Ravello Rock. Winning connections also received a $1500 VHRSC owners bonus for their win.
Bongiorno Boys showed a welcome return to form in winning the first race for trainer Beau Tindale and driver Michael Bellman, while Graeme and Gavin Lang combined with Warminster to gain a narrow victory in the final event.
Harness racing fans in Gippsland are now beginning to count down to the biggest day for the year at Warragul with the Pacing Bowl Cup meeting next along on Easter Sunday afternoon, April 16.
Kyle Galley

Top Gippsland trainer Jayne Davies is on the verge of achieving a significant milestone at the final Warragul trots meeting for the current harness racing season on Monday, August 22.
Davies and training partner Noel Alexander look set to collect the Warragul Trainers' Premiership for the twentieth time since the award was first presented in 1981.
They hold a 19 point lead over Drouin West horseman Gary Quinlan going into Monday's raceday, with a strong team of runners expected to compete.
The Davies and Alexander all green silks have been carried by the winners of hundreds of races at Warragul over four decades, many driven by champion reinsman Chris Alford, who is leading the Warragul Drivers' Premiership, an award he has won on 12 occasions.
Alford is well clear on the points table from last season's winner, Greg Sugars.
Young driver Zac Phillips has a handy lead in the Concession Drivers' Premiership, having won four races at the Pacing Bowl during the season.
The Horse of the Year Award could be one the comes down to the wire on Monday, with two local horses vying for the honour of most consistent at the track over the nine meeting season.
Drouin West pacer Modern Ville trails local trotter Fiftyshadesofbrown by two points leading into the final meeting.
Fellow local trotter Soho Ledger is only one point further back in third place.
Should all three horses compete on the day, it will add extra interest to the meeting.
Monday's race card is the Warragul Harness Racing Club's annual "Nasho's Day", featuring a gathering of members from the National Servicemen's Association.
After Monday's meeting, the next program at Warragul will be a special pre-Christmas event on Wednesday, December 21.
Kyle Galley

Smythes Creek harness racing trainer Emma Stewart holds plenty of aces in next Saturday night’s Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series finals.
The three-year-old pacing fillies’ division appears to be one of her strongest hands.
Stewart has four runners in the field and semi-final winner Whirily School’s stocks only rose when she pulled gate one at the barrier draw.
“It was one of those cases where the wide barrier draw was actually to her advantage,” Greg Sugars said of Whirily School’s semi-final win tonight.
“We were able to press forward and once she was able to take up the lead she was always the one to beat.
“It’s probably a very honest and fair assessment to say she’s probably a length or so behind the very best of her age group, but she is certainly not far behind them . With a bit of luck in the final she is definitely in with a chance.”
Whirily School (Courage Under Fire/Mayhappen) worked forward to eventually find the lead through a 45secs lead time and posted quarters of 30.5, 32.5, 28.9 and 28.9 for a mile rate of 1:58.7.
Stablemate Rocknroll Magic will take a power of beating in the final though, despite drawing barrier 11.
The filly by Rock N Roll Heaven out of All The Magic made it 15 career wins from 22 starts tonight, notching a 1:57.5 mile rate in the chair (55.2 last half) to overhaul leader Rockstar Angel by a half-neck.
“I probably expected that is where I would land in the run but I was still confident enough she’d be good enough,” winning driver Gavin Lang said.
“She’s one of the main players (in the final), as you know with Emma and Clayton’s horses this time of the year they’re always on song.”
Rockstar Angel has drawn barrier eight so will follow Whirily School.
In the three-year-old colts and geldings’ final, semi-final winners Soho Tribeca (American Ideal/Pixel Perfect) and Iceenothink (Art Major/Decethree Lombo) have drawn gates three and four for the Final.
Iceenothink finished powerfully tonight for Chris Alford and trainer Larry Eastman (who combined to win this section last year with Menin Gate), holding off Mario Attard and Don’t Hold Back, who also savaged the line from well-back.
Iceenothink posted a 1:57.4 mile rate.
Soho Tribeca, trained by Jayne Davies and driven by Alford, scored by a half-neck over Carter Bromac, with Brallos Pass third in a rate of 1:57.4.
“He was going to get a good run through, (it was) just whether he could stay in front of Brallos Pass. That didn’t work out but he (Brallos Pass) had to do a fair bit of work,” Alford said. “Just got to hope he gets a good draw and he can play a part next week.”
Burrumbeet trainer-driver Michael Stanley is set for a busy Vicbred finals night once again, qualifying six pacers through tonight’s semis.
His three-year-old Spiritwriter drew the pole in the males’ division and that brings him right into contention.
Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series 3YO Fillies Final Barrier Draw
1: Whirily School
2: Ideal Lifestyle
3: Kalinda
4: Platinum Power (em)
5: Just Wantano
6: Nikkibadwagon
7: Flojos Gold
8: Rockstar Angel
9: Alessa
10: Celebrity Guest
11: Rocknroll Magic
12: Rockabella Starz
13: Champagne Taste
Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series 3YO Colts & Geldnigs Final Barrier Draw
1: Spiritwriter
2: Battle Born
3: Soho Tribeca
4: Iceenothink
5: Keep On Rocking
6: Senor Macray
7: Brallos Pass
8: Herehecomes
9: Professor Tom
10: Showgun Thomas
11: Illawong Maestro
12: Dont Hold Back
13: Carter Bromac
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
Advantage Sundons Courage and Princess Phoenix after the three-year-old trotters' barrier draws for the Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series finals.
Drawn on Friday night amid the pacers' semi-finals, Sundons Courage drew the front row in the colts and geldings and fellow heat winner Cruisin Around will start from barrier eight, while Sky Majesty will start from barrier 12 in the fillies, opening the door further for her rivals.
The three-year-old fillies semi-final promises to be an evenly fought and engaging final, with several winning hopes.
Among them is Princess Phoenix, a $1.80 favourite in the second heat at Bendigo last Wednesday, who led but was beaten into third by winner Into The Unknown, from Donna Lewis’ Toolern Vale stable, and Geoff Webster’s Rift Valley.
The first heat was all about Sky Majesty (Skyvalley/Mystic Hush). Bacchus Marsh trainer-driver Jodi Quinlan was rapt with her filly’s heat win, which she said was one of her “best runs to date”.
The 12m victory came after she found the front and careered away, and Sky Majesty should be right in the final despite the tough draw.
“I was very happy with her heat,” Quinlan said. “She’s a good chance. There’s not a lot of difference between the horses in the grade, it is pretty even.
“(Sky Majesty) can sit and sprint. She is not a class above them, but I think they have all come back to each other.”
The three-year-old colts and geldings final also promises much, not the least of which is another showdown between Cruisin Around (Bacardi Lindy/Cloud Chaser) and Sundons Courage.
Both won their heats, with Sundons Courage (Sundon/Truscott Photo) a 1.6m winner for Muckleford trainer Chris Angove and Bolinda driver Chris Alford, with Brent Lilley’s $34-shot Kyvalley Tinman running into second.
Cruisin Around’s win was even tighter. Driven to one-out one-back by Myrniong’s Greg Sugars, Cruisin Around lost touch with front runners Calder Knight and Big Jack Hammer at the final bend but wound up sufficiently in the straight to win by a short half-head.
Bannockburn trainer-driver Geoff Webster’s three-year-old Big Jack Hammer (The Press/Running Pinevale) punched on for second in the breeze and will be a threat come next Friday’s final, says Cranbourne’s Michael Hughes, trainer of Cruisin Around.
“There are three or four really good horses,” Hughes said. “(Cruisin Around) has always had a ding-dong battle with Sundons Courage. Big Jack Hammer looked back on song, and a few others are also a chance. It will all come down to who has the best luck.”
Hughes’ confidence about his own charge’s horse were only emboldened with Cruisin Around’s heat win.
“I think he went pretty good. I was a little worried when he lost ground at the top of the straight, but he did a good job to pick them up in such a quick quarter,” Hughes said.
“I give him a really good chance as long as he does everything right. The horse is really good, feels really good, there are no issues. He is a good sit-sprinter, but has also done it the tough way and led before.”
Barrier draws:
Three-year-old colts and geldings trotters
1: Kyvalley Tinman
2: Skyflyer
3: Big Jack Hammer
4: Calder Knight
5: Sundons Courage
6: Cargerie
7: Sun Valley Road
8: Cruisin Around
9: Diamond Wes (emg)
10: Sky Me A River
11: Menewa
12: Shetland
13: Imahe Man (ODM)
Barrier draws:
Three-year-old fillies trotters
1: Aldebaran Eve
2: Never Never Land (emg)
3: Princess Phoenix
4: Mizurri
5: Defence Power
6: Into The Unknown
7: The Cooler
8: Tension Seeker
9: Getthenet
10: Illawong Bliss
11: Rift Valley
12: Sky Majesty
13: Scottish Sardius (ODM)
Michael Howard/Cody Winnell

Local horses scored most of the wins at the well attended Warragul harness racing meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Longwarry trainer Lee Evison collected two race wins for a host of happy owners - with Expectagrin which scored its first race victory, and the talented pacer Mister Wickham.
Fellow Gippsland horseman Gary Quinlan was also in the winners' circle on the program with Ymbro Toto, which led throughout in her victory, giving ace reinsman Greg Sugars a driving double.
Veteran Croydon horseman Mario Stella has long supported Warragul's meetings, and made the trip across a successful one when he landed a double with Feel The Buzz (driven by Matt Ablett) and Greenough (Zac Phillips).
Clyde trainer Jayne Davies was another local to collect a victory with Mister Clooney in race eight when driven by Chris Alford.
Melton couple Maree and John Caldow combined to win the Gippsland Business Centre Pace with Art Mistress, defeating locals Sahara Sunrise and Fairest Fella.
John Caldow accepted a trophy on behalf of the race sponsors, who held their Christmas break-up at the trots.
After the race Caldow claimed the Warragul track as "the best little track around", given the work undertaken to enhance the condition of the track surface and camber in recent times.
Veteran Bendigo horseman Brian Gath had his first drive at Warragul for some time, and landed victory with Aitutaki.
Gath also praised the quality of the revamped Warragul track after the race, saying that while the track has always been of good quality, the renovation works undertaken 12 months ago have taken the course to another level.
Trainer/driver Lisa Miles bought home Tiavons Dream to a narrow victory in the Trotters Handicap - the square gaiters turned in a great exhibition of faultless trotting which was well received by the crowd.
Wednesday's raceday introduced plenty of new people to trotting and there was a great atmosphere on track. Strong entries produced nine races with competitors coming from far and wide for a quality program.
Warragul Harness Racing Club officials will be hoping to repeat the success at their next raceday on Tuesday afternoon, January 19.
Kyle Galley

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and captain Scott Pendlebury are among the 14 owners of pacer Stone Of Destiny, which bought up its first win at the harness racing meeting at Warragul on Monday afternoon.
Although the pair weren't on track for the race, several other members of the Raceapacer Syndicate, along with the group's jovial Manager Mark Hoare, were trackside for the event.
Mark has helped operate syndicates successfully for over 20 years in trotting and gallops, introducing many new owners to racing.
Stone Of Destiny is trained by die-hard Collingwood fan Jayne Davies, and was driven by Chris Alford.
As well as nearly $4000 in prizemoney for Monday's win, a first win bonus of $7000 will also be well received by connections.
Chris Alford drove two winners on the card - his first win was with Blacktie Lightning earlier in the day.
Trained near Ballarat by Chris Lang Junior, Blacktie Lightning was most impressive in scoring, and the win was timely for Lang and his partner Haley Toulmin, who announced their engagement last weekend.
Stoned Again scored a popular win in the Trotters Handicap, and claimed the Warragul Horse of the Year title in the process.
Owners of the horse also sponsored the event, giving them the extra thrill of winning their own race.
The win also capped off a great season at Warragul for trainer Bill Walker and driver Simone Walker.
Husband and wife Andy and Kate Gath collected a double at the meeting - with Tenacious One and Ideal Diamante both scoring impressive wins.
Bushrod won race seven for trainer/driver Alison Chisholm, while trainer Ahmed Taiba and driver Greg Sugars combined to win the fourth event with Rock Of America, which flashed home down the outside of the track to win in a close finish.
Melton pacer Electric Ollie won the second event - the visitors won most of the races on Monday over the local trainers.
Monday's meeting rounded out the racing season at Warragul, with the next raceday now not until November 30 when the first anniversary of the Warragul track reopening takes place.
The quality of the Warragul track has improved out of sight with the changes that have taken place over the last 12 months.
Stewards at Monday's meeting commented on the quality of the track given the amount of rain received in the lead-up to the meeting.
With the improvements to the track has come increased interest from trainers along with better quality and faster racing, justifying the money spent on the project last year.
Kyle Galley

Warragul's final race meeting of the 2014/2015 Victorian harness racing season this Monday afternoon will be an intriguing one.
The Warragul Harness Racing Club annual premiership awards, presented to the leading trainer, senior and junior driver and most consistent horse, will be decided at Monday's meeting.
Some of the awards could go down to the wire with current results the closest they have been heading into the last raceday of the season for some years.
Greg Sugars is engaged in an interesting battle with fellow top reinsman Chris Alford in the Driver of the Year Award.
Greg leads the award, having driven three winners at last month's race meeting, however Chris is closing, and has been one of the most successful drivers in history at Warragul.
Locally owned and trained trotter Stoned Again holds a one point lead in the Horse of the Year Award.
With two wins and a second from three starts on the track, and a record winning time at the recent race meeting, Pearcedale's Walker family are looking for their first win in this award with their trotter.
Top junior reinsman Josh Duggan holds a one point lead in the Concession Driver of the Year Award, with Zac Phillips and Vin Langdon both chances of claiming the win in this award if results fall their way on Monday.
Cranbourne trainers Jayne Davies and Noel Alexander have dominated the Trainer of the Year award since its inception in 1981 - and they go into Monday's meeting with a lead that should be big enough to claim the award again.
Under the points scale, race winners receive four points, with two points for a second placing and one point awarded for a third place finish.
First of eight races on Monday runs at 12:36pm with free entry for patrons.
Harness Racing Victoria

Perfect weather conditions complimented a good day of harness racing at Warragul on Monday.
Seven events produced keen racing - importantly winners came from both the front and rear of the field across the day, defying the usual trend of on-pace runners being suited on the smaller Warragul circuit.
Again, fast times were recorded during the day, highlighting the quality of Warragul's renovated circuit.
One trainer particularly happy to win on Monday was Warragul boy Michael Hughes, who prepared Illawong Libby to win the Warragul Downtowner Pace.
Hughes has only had the four-year-old mare in his Cranbourne stable for two starts. He explained after the race that he had set Illawong Libby for the Warragul event some four weeks ago.
He felt Illawong Libby would be suited by the Warragul track, and that proved the case. She led from barrier one, holding off a late challenge by Readyforreign to score narrowly in a deceptive finish.
The five owners of Illawong Libby were delighted with their victory, the mare's third from 24 starts.
Former Gippsland trainer Graeme Lang also claimed a victory on Monday's card with Maybellina in the Drouin Signs Trotters Handicap.
Lisa Miles donned Lang's famous dark blue silks and drove a well judged race behind Maybellina, which grabbed Slancio close to home to win.
Husband and wife Andy and Kate Gath collected a double on the day, courtesy of Lagoon Beach and Qtown Rip Roaring - both horses coming home strongly from off the pace in their victories.
Leading combination of trainer Jayne Davies and driver Chris Alford have won more races than most at Warragul over the years, and claimed another victory on the day, this time with Baccarat in the Healers Shack Pace.
Hoofnit provided the upset of the day in winning the Don Collins Pace - the longest priced winner of the afternoon at around 10/1.
After three racedays in the last six weeks, Warragul now has a break before the traditional Traralgon Pacing Cup program on Monday, June 29.

American trotter Real Babe will make her Australian harness racing debut at Shepparton on Saturday night.
Prepared by Jayne Davies, Real Babe will contest the Group Three George Gath, which has attracted a stellar field.
The mare has had two trials ahead of her Down Under debut, finishing second at her most recent hit-out at Tabcorp Park Melton on Monday.
To be driven by Anthony Butt, who has partnered the daughter of Donato Hanover at both trials, Real Babe’s task has been made tough by drawing gate seven – the outside of the front row.
Real Babe is here for the Great Southern Star on March 7, one of two international invitees for the series.
Star local Spidergirl will resume after a five-month break for trainer David Aiken.
Last season’s dominant squaregaiter, with victories in the Vicbred and Breeders’ Crown Finals, Spidergirl will begin from the inside of the second row.
With quick beginner Flying Isa drawn the pole, Spidergirl is likely to enjoy the perfect trip along the pegs.
In a terrific coup for the Victorian industry, all trot races at Shepparton will be broadcast live into France for wagering purposes.
Harness Racing Victoria will receive a product fee for beaming the action into the world's biggest trotting market.
HRV Media

Following last week’s exclusive on leviathan harness racing owner Emilio Rosati, harnesslink can reveal the first two Victorian trainers in line to receive the majority of his team.
Just to recap, Rosati has decided to transfer his horses out of New South Wales as a result of his disappointment with the integrity of the local industry.
While a few have already been sent south of the Murray River – and also to Queensland – the majority of his stock are yet to be moved interstate.
The remainder of Rosati’s team will begin being shipped next week, with trainers Jayne Davies and Andy Gath to receive the bulk of the ‘deliveries’.
It is believed South Australia’s David Harding will also have his stable numbers increased within the month.
Rosati’s horses carry the ‘Stride’ prefix, with former stars Excel Stride and Idol Stride among his best performers.
Rosati’s stock is estimated to be between 30 and 40 horses, with star youngster Allblack Stride headlining the crew.
“Although they haven’t raced yet, a lot have moved and the rest will be moved soon,” Rosati said. “I won’t put a number on how many horses I have, but it’s a lot.”
Rosati’s decision to vacate New South Wales is based on his ‘principles'. When asked to elaborate, Rosati stated he’d “leave it at that.”
“I have no problem with the people running the sport, I just have a problem with the integrity of it,” Rosati said.
“I don’t want to harm the industry, I’m just frustrated with the way it is at the moment. I’m not doing this because I want to...I have to, based on my principles.
“Ideally I’d prefer to be in New South Wales and hopefully the problem gets fixed and I will return them.
“I will still stay on as a sponsor there.”
Paul Courts

Charlie Attard, who has had many smart horses over the years, was successful with Major In Art / Golden Navajo colt Im The Boss in The Red Shed Pace for two-year-olds over 1609 metres at Cranbourne on Tuesday night.
Driven by Greg Sugars, Im The Boss led throughout from gate four, scoring easily in advance of Major In Arms in a mile rate of 1:58.8.
Gaita Pullicino landed the Ultra Signs Claiming Pace over 2080 metres with much-travelled seven-year-old Julius Caesar / Lavra Supreme gelding Caesar Supreme.
Spearing straight to the front from gate six, Caesar Supreme ran his rivals ragged to register his 30th victory in 114 outings, defeating Cowboy Cadillac by 1.7 metres in a rate of 2:00.2. Old-timer Dartmoor (one/one – three wide last lap) finished a close-up third.
Andrew Farrugia provided the upset of the night when lightly raced four-year-old Grinfromeartoear / My Minnis Folly gelding Sumo Grin ($36.10) greeted the judge in the Aldebaran Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2110 metres in a mile rate of 2:07.
Driven by Zac Phillips, Sumo Grin starting from the pole stood flat-footed as the tapes released, settling three back in the moving line with Zoes Dream beginning brilliantly from 20 metres to lead.
Sliding forward to be one/one in the last lap after Koko De Ville had eased away from the markers to face the open mid-race before galloping approaching the home turn, Sumo Grin raced to the front on the final bend and held a margin to the wire, winning by 7.5 metres over Ive No Boundaries and Framework Salute who were always handy on the pegs.
Hopetoun Park duo Ross and Greg Sugars brought up victory number three with beautifully bred Bettors Delight / Misty Maiden gelding Mulgrave in the Cranbourne Trainers Bonanza 3YO Pace over 2080 metres.
Sent forward at the start from gate four to lead, Greg Sugars allowed the well-supported Williamlee outside him to assume control, giving Mulgrave the run of the race.
Using the sprint lane, Mulgrave was too slick at the finish for Fifty Shades (one/one – three wide home turn) and Williamlee, winning by 4.4 metres in a rate of 2:01.6.
Melton trainer/driver Rod Petroff’s ultra-consistent mare McRita was a strong winner of the Dooza Sulky Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2080 metres in 2:00.6.
A four-year-old daughter of McArdle and Jarita, who has now recorded six wins and 19 placings from 36 outings, McRita again showed her great gate speed to lead from barrier three and despite being pressured at various stages, dashed away on the home turn to score by 2.3 metres from Jeans Mattjesty.
Daylesford husband and wife – Mick Barby & Anne-Maree Conroy – snared the ADE Turf Equipment Pace for C4 & C5 class over 2080 metres with ever-reliable six-year-old Blissful Hall / Go Bush gelding Sir Jaybe Hall, who chalked up his seventh victory in 38 outings.
Given every opportunity one/one from gate four, Sir Jaybe Hall ran home nicely to gain the day by a head over Mister Clooney along the sprint lane after trailing the pacemaker Im Living The Dream which finished third. The mile rate 2:01.3.
Jayne Davies kept the home flag flying when Mach Three / Atworthy Maid gelding Macworthy led throughout in the Condo’s Horse Transport Pace for C0 class over 2080 metres, defeating Wingofwaves and Miss Metro Glen in a rate of 2:02.9 with Chris Alford in the sulky.
Veteran Whittlesea trainer Charlie Farrugia has enjoyed plenty of unheralded success over the years with a number of well-placed horses and he captured the Seelite Windows & Doors Pace for C1 class over 2080 metres with Courage Under Fire / Terrabeauty five-year-old gelding Terra Beau.
Driven by nephew Darren Zahra, Terra Beau – first-up since January – led from the pole before surrendering to the sensationally backed Public Persuasion ($8 into about $3.50) racing for the bell.
When Mor Laag moved to race in the open for the last lap after being mid-field and applied plenty of pressure to the leader, Terra Beau was able to ease off the marker pegs approaching the home turn and sprinted home stylishly on turning to score by 3.9 metres from a game Mor Laag and WillsSon (three back the markers) in a rate of 2:01.3.
Len Baker - Harness Racing Victoria

Harness racing fans have a soft spot for Master Kiesey – and why wouldn’t you?
The 13-year-old won his 19th race on Saturday at Maryborough’s non-TAB meeting, defeating Ballan Road by 3.4m in a rate of 2:08.9 over 2190m.
Driven by Grant Campbell, Master Kiesey stepped superbly and led from start to finish at start number 310.
“He’s been a great horse for us,” trainer Brian Kiesey said.
“He’s as sound as a bell and he’s enjoying life and enjoying his races. He still gets around all the yearlings at home and gives them hell,” he quipped.
Kiesey said Master Kiesey would race on next season as a 14-year-old.
“We don’t knock him about. You never see him get hit with the whip. He eats well and he loves his racing,” he said.
Kiesey said his philosophy was to give horses plenty of time to find their feet before taking them to the racetrack.
He pointed to a trotter he is working with at the moment who has been in work for three years but is yet to race.
“She’s never been to the track. When I first got her she was a lunatic. But now she’s easy to drive and she’s going to be pretty good when we get her to the racetrack.”
He also mentioned Apple Beach, which he acquired from the Jayne Davies stable before turning her into a trotter.
“I’ve just had to teach her to trot,” he said.
“That’s what this season is all about. Next season will be about her winning races.
“It took 18 months to get Apple Beach going, but now she’s leading and getting away nicely in races.”
Despite her poor strike rate (one win from 50 starts), optimistic Kiesey says punters should keep following the daughter of Life Sign.
“She’s the best horse I’ve had in 35 years. Next year it’ll be about her winning races.”
By Cody Winnell
Harness Racing Victoria